Category Archives: States

Indian tourists will be some of the most desirable travellers, given India’s growing economy, young population and rising middle class, according to GlobalData. The data and analytics company notes that the country is projected to reach record levels of 29 million outbound trips by 2025 – a buoyant outlook considering the strains of COVID-19.

Jammu & Kashmir’s gets its first-ever open-air floating on the Dal Lake. The theatre was inaugurated by J&K chief secretary Arun Kumar Mehta, and is aimed at attracting more tourists to the region. On this occasion, a Shikara rally, adorned with shining lights passed through Nehru Park to Kabootar Khana with local artists singing and dancing to Kashmiri songs which entertained guests and passersby. Old Indian film ‘Kashmir ki Kali’ was screened during the festival.

Aaditya Thackeray, Tourism & Environment Minister, Maharashtra has said that in the post COVID world, tourism sector will be our sponge industry which will absorb the highest number of employment growth, highest revenue for the state, and it will have a ripple effect on the country’s economy.

Uttarakhand is working towards setting up a cave tourism circuit in Gangolihat, Pithoragarh. It is a set of nine underground caves, which were recently discovered and have the potential to be a great tourist attraction. MPS Bisht, Director, Uttarakhand Space Application Centre (USAC), said in a statement, “These are natural heritage sites, which we are going to protect and eventually they will be opened for tourists. The central government has already given a nod. Slovenia earns almost 30 per cent revenue through cave tourism. We, too, can generate good tourism income this way.”

Kerala Government has made registration mandatory for service providers in the Adventure Tourism sector for conducting a wide range of land, water and air-related activities to ensure their quality and safety. Tourism Director V R Krishna Teja said Kerala considered adventure tourism as a highly promising segment, especially in the post-pandemic surge. “By introducing the registration system, foolproof safety and standard will be achieved in the sector, which will help Kerala to attract more tourists to this sector with utmost confidence,” he said.

Delhi features as a top source market for Thomas Cook India. Lockdown fatigue and pent-up demand is resulting in strong travel desire from Delhites – Thomas Cook India has been witnessing a robust 60% month-on-month increase since re-opening in June 2021. A surge in demand for the upcoming Festive & Winter Season, Expo 2020 Dubai and honeymoon travel due to marriage season in North is powering travel growth from Delhi. Thomas Cook India reports that the demand is back to 65% of pre-pandemic levels overall: domestic travel at an impressive 290%; international at 55% (acquisition data Sept 2021 vs Sept 2019). Maldives, Switzerland, France, Russia, Spain, Egypt are the top destinations, while Expo 2020 Dubai is seeing a brisk demand currently. Additionally, Delhi is also witnessing a strong demand for overseas education travel and Thomas Cook India has delivered well on student travel to USA and Canada with quarantine packages. Delhi NCR Travel Trends: Thomas Cook India’s survey has revealed insightful consumer behaviours & travel trends for Delhi 62% prefer international destinations; favourites include Maldives, Dubai, Switzerland, France 78% prefer Domestic holidays; Kashmir, Leh-Ladakh, Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand; with North East and Andamans now seeing strong demand *(*data not equal to 100% as multiple choice options were provided to customers) Top Experiences: Delhites enjoy outdoor adventure trips like Biking in Ladakh, Rafting in Uttaranchal ,Kashmir, Rajasthan, South India; mountain destinations and experiences like ATV rides/a picnic lunch in an apple orchard; Andamans and beach destinations with water sports like sea karting, snorkeling, etc. Winter holidays with festivities of Christmas markets in Switzerland & France or Russia’s Lapland & Northern Lights, Nile cruises, hot air ballooning in Cappadocia (Turkey) and Expo …

Travel Agents Federation of India – Gujarat Chapter has written to the Ahmedabad Airport Director regarding an announcement made for Ahmedabad runway repair from 3 January 2022 to 31 May 2022 from 9am to 6pm excluding public holidays and Sundays. The latter states, ‘We propose that this repair and maintenance work if possible should be executed in night hours from 10pm to 5am starting from March 2022 with a short completion period. We seek your immediate support to make these changes happen and save the tourism industry from losing its current pace.’  

Team India tourism, North East and the officials of Ministry of Tourism (MOT), India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) and Nagaland government visited Khonoma, an Angami Naga village recently to conduct recce for ensuing ITM 2021in Nagaland. ITM 2021 is scheduled from 28-30th November 2021 in Nagaland, just before the popular Hornbill Festival in its capital Kohima. As per MOT, the idea to conduct the ITM before the event is to take advantage of the festival’s popularity.

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, Waterways and Tourism, Shripad Naik inaugurated a week-long campaign of India Tourism, Goa to promote the national festival of ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ at Panaji. Venkatesan Dhattareyan; Regional Director, India Tourism and Manager Jitendra Jadahav were also present on this occasion. “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav is the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to celebrate the occasion of 75 years of Independence with grandeur and enthusiasm befitting the historic nature, glory and importance of the occasion. This Mahotsav of 75 years of Independence is dedicated to the people of India”. Said Naik.

The government of Karnataka announces on Monday that RT PCR reports of international travellers on arrival at airports in Karnataka is not required as the Covid numbers are declining. Chief Secretary, P Ravi Kumar, said passengers would have to mandatorily upload the RT PCR reports on Air Suvidha Portal. Also, the international passengers will not be checked for oxygen saturation level unless they show signs of being unwell.